Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Great Unknown (A Leg Update)

I am completely exhausted, but I figured I should at least pop in here with a quick update.


We went to the vet this afternoon around 2. She examined Marge's rear hind leg and performed a whole bunch of range of motion tests. Unfortunately, she couldn't find anything definitively wrong. She said Marge wasn't "giving up" to her the exact location of the pain. She said she had great range of motion, great conformation, and great muscle tone.

In summary, she said it's probably more of a joint issue than a muscle pull. But, she said she highly doubts the presence of hip dysplasia - so I guess some higher power was watching out for us on that one. She said nothing is torn or anything like that. Her best guess was that Marge landed awkwardly while running around on the beach and injured the soft tissue around her hip. She did not think that radiographs would be conclusive at this point.

She is going to take Rimadyl, 37.5 mg (half a pill) twice a day. She will be on a restricted exercise regimen for at least a week or so (no running/jumping, but walks are OK). I'm going to talk to the vet again a week from Monday and let her know how she is. The trial is not completely ruled out - the vet seemed optimistic - but I'd rather be safe than sorry.. so if I have any doubt, we'll just skip it.

Marge is acting pretty much normal. She's visibly holding more weight on the opposite hind foot, and I do notice a slight gimp in her step. But, she's really not all that "off." She's still trying to run and jump like normal, and she makes the stairs as quickly as ever (I'm trying to limit it, though).

I guess it's not the worst outcome in the world, but I can't help but feel that it's not the best, either. I hate the uncertainty of it.

Once again, I've fallen pitifully behind on blogging. Give me a reprieve this weekend, and I'll be back up and running like usual soon. I have spent a lot of mental energy worrying about this whole thing. Thank you so much for your support.

27 comments:

LauraK March 20, 2010 at 11:47 PM  

I'm so glad it's nothing serious! I know how it is to be worrying about it all the time though. Good luck with keeping Miss Marge relatively "quiet" - hope she heals quickly!

houndstooth March 20, 2010 at 11:47 PM  

Try not to overworry it! I know that's hard to do, but a lot of times it leads you to find things wrong that aren't really there. Hopefully a couple of weeks of rest will be just the thing! I've had a few of ours develop muscle injuries like what I think you're describing and they bounced back pretty quickly. We're wishing you lots of luck!

Carolyn March 20, 2010 at 11:59 PM  

That's great news! I'd be most concerned about a tear (as that's what I've had the most experience with and therefor my "go to" concern) but it sounds like your vet did a really thorough exam.

With a little rest Marge will be back to her zoomie-self in no time! :)

Hang in there!

-C

Martha March 21, 2010 at 5:50 AM  

Try not to worry - Marge will no doubt bounce back. The news we felt was good! It really is likely she has just fallen awkwardly and with time will be as good as new. As you say best not to overdo things meantime.
Don't worry about the blogs!!!
I love all the friends I have made in the blogging world and try my best to keep up but really it is impossible.
What with work, the house (does anyone remember what housework is?) and the dogs there really isn't enough time.
If you don't comment that is fine - just drop by when and if you feel like it - repeat every day - blogging is fun!!!
xxxx

Sara March 21, 2010 at 6:56 AM  

I'm so glad that your vet doesn't think there is a tear anywhere. I also know how not having a definitive diagnosis can really stress you out!

My advice...stay away from google searching, "dog limping". It'll drive you nuts. LOL.

I hope Marge continues to improve over the next week.

Chris and Ricky March 21, 2010 at 7:59 AM  

I think it was really good news too! I bet Marge did land just a little awkwardly and tweaked her hip and it will just take a little time for it to feel completely normal to her again. It's good that you can keep walking her - that will help to keep you guys from going stir crazy!

Take care and try not to worry (don't make mountains out of mole hills is what my grandma would say!) :)

Cyndi and Stumpy March 21, 2010 at 8:45 AM  

Sounds like good news to me! Marge is an athalete and she is bound to have a gimp,pull or cramp here and there. Do what you're doing and she'll be fine in no time!

Thanks for the update! We've been waiting to hear!

Jules March 21, 2010 at 9:29 AM  

I hope Marge continues to improve!

Frankie Furter and Ernie March 21, 2010 at 9:31 AM  

Good News... Right??

KB March 21, 2010 at 10:58 AM  

I know how you feel - I always wish that the vet could simply give me "the answer". But, to get "the answer", you usually need expensive tests so it's better to watch and wait first... That's the hard part. Especially the part about keeping Marge quiet, if she's anything like my dogs!

Sue March 21, 2010 at 12:21 PM  

It's so hard to know with some dogs, where the pain is and how bad it really is. The PWDs hide pain and then there was Lucy who overdramatized the slightest pain. Try to make her take it easy enough to not overstress the injury and let nature take care of it.

Keep us updated.

Golden Samantha March 21, 2010 at 1:22 PM  

I think it sounds like good news, for the most part, but it's hard to not know definitively - I understand. You are doing all the right things! Will be checking back to check up!
Big Hugs xo
Sammie

Kathy Mocharnuk March 21, 2010 at 1:29 PM  

I have been wondering a lot how Marge was doing,so glad to hear that things are at least OK. well, I have come to the conclusion these happy go lucky dogs just get hurt every so often.....so good thing the vet did not find anything that looked too serious, and hoping just a little tlc for a few days will take care of things. We will continue to send healing thoughts to Marge!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! March 21, 2010 at 5:13 PM  

GoldenSibe vibes along with khrossed paws fur Marge AND fur Marge's mom's nerves!

Please take it easy Marge!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra & Khousin Merdie

Anonymous March 21, 2010 at 5:50 PM  

Oh my goodness...humans worry a lot, don't they? I've noticed this with mom and dad, too. But try real real hard not to worry. I know Marge will be A-okay in no times at all!

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Muttsandaklutz March 21, 2010 at 7:21 PM  

Well, good news, and bad news, not fun being left to wonder what is causing Marge's gimpiness. But I'm glad the vet didn't seem too concerned that it was anything serious. Fingers crossed that a bit of time and rest will do the trick.

Chris and Ricky March 21, 2010 at 7:42 PM  

Hope Marge is doing better today! And we hope you were offended by our comment at all thinking that we were making light of Marge's injury and telling you now to worry - we didn't mean to say anything stupid. Mom is a huge worrier and she would be sick with worry if I were hurt but it doesn't really do any good and sometimes things do work out and aren't as bad as they seemed they would be. So we're really hoping for great news in your nest update and hope you got out for a nice walk with Marge today.

Two French Bulldogs March 21, 2010 at 8:57 PM  

no worries..take it one little paw step at a time
Snuggles,
Benny & Lily

Kari in Alaska March 21, 2010 at 9:06 PM  

holy moly I missed so much during my week long absence! I hope she gets better soon. Sending lots of good thoughts your way!

Dexter March 21, 2010 at 9:14 PM  

It is frustrating not to know what is wrong, but a relief to know what isn't wrong too. I hurt my leggie pretty bad a while back and they took photo copies of my bones and everything and said that they were ok. I took the Rymadil and it made me feel a whole lot better.

Slobbers,
Mango

SissySees March 21, 2010 at 11:28 PM  

Not knowing is hard, but at least it isn't something serious. Good luck keeping Marge quiet for the prescribed amount of time. We went through that regularly with my dearly departed dog...

Lorenza March 21, 2010 at 11:30 PM  

Sounds like good news! I hope she will be back to normal soon!
Don't worry about not blogging! We understand you need to take a time to recover your mental energy! Just... relax!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Ruby and Penny March 22, 2010 at 9:48 AM  

Sending doxie feel good vibes your way.
Love Ruby & Penny

Princess March 22, 2010 at 10:36 AM  

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!!

Anna the GSD March 22, 2010 at 10:53 AM  

Get to feeling better Marge! I heard that the secret to getting better is lots of peanut butter, noms and toys. Oh, and ear scratches. Just what I heard... :)

The Army of Four March 22, 2010 at 12:22 PM  

We're glad you were able to get her to the vet - and that it's nothing horrible! All things considered, we agree with Lorenza that it sounds like good news!
Feel better, Marge!!!!!!
Tail wags,
Storms

AC March 22, 2010 at 3:56 PM  

Sam, so sorry to hear about Marge's leg/hip. That is tough to not know exactly what's going on. I'm glad that it doesn't sound serious and really hope that she's back in the game soon enough. Keep us posted!

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